Axel Domont continued the fantastic start to the season for Ag2r-La Mondial when the young Frencman won the final stage of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe in just his second year as a pro. Having started the race with bad sensations, he was pleased to break the ice at a time when he didn't expect it.

Ag2r have had a fantastic start to the season with several wins and impressive showings, even in the biggest races. However, the great performances have not only been delivered by their big stars and their young talents have also shined.

A few weeks ago, their neo-pro Alexis Gougeard won the Classique Loire Atlantique and today their second-year pro Axel Domont took his first professional victory when he won the final stage of the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe. The young Frenchman showed great maturity in a hectic finale on a hilly finishing circuit when he instigated the right move during a small lulle in the peloton 30km from the finish.

Domont was joined by Angelo Tulik (Europcar) and later also by Gustav Erik Larsson (IAM), Anthony Geslin (FDJ) and Vegard Stake Laengen (Bretagne). As none of the five escapees were any threat to Ramunas Navardauskas' overall lead, Garmin-Shrap were happy to let them get a 1.10 gap. 

With Ag2r and Europcar both represented, it was left to Trek to chase them down and the American team failed in their mission. Knowing that he would have no chance in a sprint against a rider like Geslin, Domont launched a solo move 1.5km from the finish and held off his chasers to the line.

Having started the race with bad sensations, Domont was surprised to have taken his first win in Sarthe.

"It was a bit stressful. I wanted to attack in the last climb but I forced myself to wait. Then I saw the opportunity to attack with 1.5km to go. I knew it was all or nothing but had I waited for the sprint, it would have been nothing anyway. We at AG2R are surfing on the right wave these days."